Surgical Oncology
Esophageal and Gastric Surgery
Esophageal cancer begins in the esophagus, and gastric cancer begins in the stomach. Both may be associated with general symptoms such as nausea, fatigue, weight loss or difficulty swallowing. Learn more about gastrointestinal cancer treatment at Wake Forest.
Advanced Treatment for Esophageal and Gastric Cancers
Prevention, early detection and treatment of these cancers with multiple approaches (chemotherapy, radiation and/or surgery) are the goals of the Comprehensive Cancer Center at Wake Forest Baptist Health. Comprehensive, multidisciplinary care has long been the practice for esophageal and gastric cancer patients we treat.
Surgery for these types of cancers can be very complex. Our Surgical Oncologists will discuss each option with you and discuss your treatment plan as part of a multidisciplinary approach that pulls together the opinions and experience of other cancer specialists, including medical oncologists and radiation oncologists. Our nurse navigator can help patients through all phases of treatment.
Clinical Trials for Esophageal and GI Cancers in North Carolina
A cornerstone of our program is the many clinical trials we participate in on a yearly basis. Currently, we are running an imaging study clinical trial to measure the response of esophageal cancer patients to chemotherapy and radiation.
The surgical oncology team encourages patients to enroll in clinical trials that are right for their treatment; however, the choice is always the patients’. Our efforts in esophageal cancer care have been supported by grants from the National Cancer Institute, resulting in numerous publications in prestigious medical journals.